51ĀŅĀ×

The 51ĀŅĀ× LGBT center is hosting several virtual events and one in-person event to help celebrate Pride Month.

Dr. Jan Huebenthal, assistant director of the LGBT Center, highlighted two particular events. One is titled ā€œTransgender Equality with Equality Ohioā€ and will take place virtually on Friday, June 11, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The event will feature advocacy organization Equality Ohio, and participants will learn about some of the issues the trans community faces and how they can support trans-identified people in their own communities.

The other event Huebenthal highlighted takes place on Tuesday, June 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. and is the premiere of an episode of the Avant-Grad podcast featuring David Collins. Collins, a 1989 OHIO alumnus, is a six-time Emmy Award producer and creator of the Netflix series Queer Eye and the voguing competition show Legendary on HBO Max.

ā€œWe hope that our events will highlight the incredible diversity of our community while also showing pathways to advocacy, inclusion and support,ā€ Huebenthal said. 

Huebenthal said Pride Month is an opportunity for the OHIO community to support LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff and alumni whether they have come out or not. Pride Month also serves as a reminder that many LGBTQ+ people still face prejudice in many workplaces and communities. 

ā€œWe feel lucky to be part of a University that is such a consistent champion of diversity and inclusion ā€“ and not just during Pride Month,ā€ Huebenthal said. 

Other events taking place for Pride Month include:

• LGBTQ+ Equality and Experiences in Europe, Thursday, June 10, 4 to 5 p.m.
• LGBTQ+ Equality and Experiences in Australia, Friday, June 11, 2 to 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, June 15, 6 to 7 p.m.
• Pride Month SpeakOUT Panel Thursday, June 17, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• In-person screening of Paris is Burning at Athena Cinema Thursday, June 17, 4 p.m. 

Anyone interested in attending the virtual events should visit to RSVP.